The Greek case earlier this week triggered an international search for the parents of Maria, a blonde haired girl and led to two cases in Ireland where children were seized from Roma parents.

Both children were returned following DNA tests and in one case, involving a fair haired seven-year girl in Dublin, the police had been called by a television reporter concerned at the apparent ethic difference between the child and her parents.

"Most news reports, not only in Europe but all over the world, have insisted on the ethnicity of the families from which the children have been taken, thus propagating age-old myths portraying Roma as child-abductors," said Nils Muiznieks, the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights.

"Such irresponsible reporting can have tremendous effects on the lives of millions of Roma and fuel already widespread violent anti-Roma movements. Past examples teach us that demonising a group of people through the media can lead to nefarious political and societal consequences."

The Irish government on Thursday announced an investigation into the separation of two Roma children from their families by police.

"While child protection is a very serious issue, responses to reported concerns must be proportionate and non-discriminatory," said Colm O'Gorman, Director of Amnesty International Ireland.

"If it is found that the authorities' actions were discriminatory, steps must be taken to ensure this is not repeated. There must be a public apology to the Roma families for the wrongdoing."